Aquavit

A glamorous new entrant to Mayfair's burgeoning dining scene, Aquavit is the latest addition to the clutch of restaurants which have sprung up within the new St James Market development.

Second restaurants can be tricky affairs - not least when the original is a NYC icon with 23 years and 2 Michelin stars under its belt. The menu here can be described with the broad stroke of 'Nordic cuisine' but with a focus on the great seafood dishes found throughout the region.

Executive chef Emma Bengtsson, herself a Swedish native is over from Aquavit NYC to steady the ship in these early weeks. But what will this trans-atlantic outpost hang its hat on? An early preview meal a few weeks back gave some hints.

The interiors are a Martin Brudinzki (Soho House, Sexy Fish) creation. The spec is befitting of the postcode, all marble, copper, crystal and glass. The result - inviting, chic and sophisticated.

One of the most inviting and exciting elements is the horseshoe bar which overlooks the dining space. Overshadowed by an impressive and well-stocked backbar, the drinks team have put together a series of twelve seasonal cocktails which cleverly use Nordic ingredients such as Cloudberries, Birch syrup and, of course, aquavit in their composition. This in itself is a much needed addition to an area which suffers from a dearth of decent drinks and cocktail offerings.

Macellaio RC

It’s often said that ‘Italians do it Better’. At a recent meal at Macellaio RC on Exmouth Market this axiom was proved beyond a shadow of a doubt.

I mean, any meal which starts with thick slices and bresaola, progresses through steak tartare, Tuna carpaccio, slabs of Fassona Beef and finishes with glasses of Amari would automatically place in the top 5 of any Italian meal I (and many I know) have ever had.

This charm offensive on the stomach was further bolstered by wave upon wave of warm Italian hospitality which was carried of with incredible amounts of charm - a class act from start to finish.

Dead Rabbit x Big Easy

Last Chance Saloon!

Lets's be honest, Canary Wharf is probably the last place you'd elect to drag your mates / dates / parents to but when one of the best bars in the world pulls into town, the proposition changes somewhat...

Bar collaborations are a dime a dozen, but NYC's The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog's takeover of Big Easy Canary Wharf is easily one of the headlines of 2016.

Keeping things simple, the #deadeasy collaboration pits 6 of NYC's finest drinks against 6 from the LDN team. On a recent visit there we rooted for the away team, taking down most of the Dead Rabbit List in a single sitting. The Dead Rabbit Banker's Punch, their take on the 'Suburban' (a 19th Century classic cocktail) was a lip-smacking knockout. Whilst the Pub Thug (Rye, Cognac and Madeira), just the tonic.

All cocktails are priced at (a pretty reasonable given who's behind the bar) £9 but will serve their last drinks next Wednesday (13th July).

http://bigeasy.co.uk/#home

som saa

Theo Randall at the Intercontinental Park Lane

For the first time in a long time there’s a good reason to be excited about Italian food in London. Whilst many will lament the passing of Zucca - new entrants Vico, Rubedo, Il Cudega and, most recently Padella have all joined the ranks and, between them are turning out some of the most exciting Italian food in London - focusing on specific regions (Lombardy) or dishes (pasta) whilst also simultaneously bringing some of the excellent wines found easily throughout Italy to the fore.

In fact, there’s so much happening with Italian food in London right now that it’s perhaps easy to forget those who’ve been with us a little… longer.

Theo Randall, who marked the 10th Anniversary of his eponymous restaurant with a overhaul and a much needed refurb, has been turning heads ever since he left the River Cafe and set up shop in the Intercontinental Park Lane in 2006.

In 2016, Theo has returned with renewed vigour and a range of new signature dishes - stamping his authority as ‘Il principe della cucina Italiana’.

HKK

The Hakkasan group is on fine form at the moment. Their most recent opening, Yauatcha City in Broadgate Circle since opening their doors just a few months ago has quickly become one of the Square Mile’s hottest tables.

Not far away, HKK, which is also part of the group has been impressing city workers and residents with their fine-edged take on Chinese cuisine much longer. For almost 3 years, HKK has quietly set the standard for those looking to enjoy a Modern Cantonese meal in refined surroundings. The team have managed to hold fast as new, flashier, sky high concepts have threatened to woo customers from what appears from the outside to be a very conventional dining room.

The Duck & Champagne menu has been created around Executive Head Chef Tong Chee Hwee’s signature dish - Cherry wood roasted Peking duck. The entire experience is designed to impress and considering it’s priced at £49 per person for the tasting menu and a bottle of champagne to share, it’s also a bit of a steal.

We’re already looking for an excuse to return.

Meat School

Shackfuyu

The latest pop-up Japanese inspired incarnation from the team behind Bone Daddies is a beauty complete with downstairs drinking den and a rave worthy menu to match.

The dishes here are Instagram heaven - don’t leave without at least trying a few of the following: Korean Fried Chicken, The Prawn toast, clay pot rice and *that* Kinako french toast with green tea ice cream.

Peckham Bazaar

A recent visit to Peckham Bazaar proved once again that the team in the kitchen know how to consistently impress.

My third visit in as many months, the food as always, was excellent - Courgette fritters, pork & lamb adanas and a succulent grilled lamb special all standouts. Their offer of free corkage at Saturday lunch guarantees a full restaurant and the need to book ahead.

Front of house can have its wobbles from time to time, but for unique and hearty food from the East, there's nowhere else i'd rather dine.

The Culpeper

London is in the throes of a fully fledged pub renaissance. Throughout the city, unloved boozers are being given a breath of new life thanks to a set of fresh-minded entrepreneurs. At the Culpeper, Spitalfields which opened last week it's more than just the standard 'walls, floors and doors' treatment. The entire space has been pulled apart and reformulated yielding a well-lit pub downstairs, a dining room above that, guest rooms above that and a roof garden / picnic space to cap it off.

Natural Wine

Isabelle legeron launches her 'Natural Wine' book.

Breddos at Trip Kichen

Update November 2014: Breddos have now finished their residency at Trip.

Streetfood duo Breddos are about to start their residency at Trip Kitchen, Haggerston. The residency, which will run for a minimum of six months from 11 April, is being held at TripSpace, a colourful cultural space which lies in two converted railway arches beside Regents Canal in Haggerston.

Pelicans and Parrots

Oh come on, who doesn't love a secret underground (pop-up?) rum bar?

Now I realise that the absolute worst thing when reporting on these kinds of happenings is to hear about something which happened once and is destined never to happen again.

Thankfully, the team behind Pelicans and Parrots are dedicated in their mission to secure a bona fide alcohol license for their venture, thus ending the need for secret e-mail lists, hand signs and the use of code words when entering their downstairs bar.

Came a hot Friday

The Pelicans and Parrots team have announced their next event which takes place this Friday 12 July.

Inspired by the recent weather, the team have gone all out and purchased a Snow Cone machine.

The offer is simple: Rum infused snow cones and music. To find out how to get there and to RSVP, visit their event page.

I'll see you there

Nyetimber vineyard

English wines were something which even a few short years ago, still raised sneers from both consumers and members of the wine trade, who had to be coaxed into trying them.

Fast forward to 2013 and the English Wine industry has blossomed. There are now scores of producers making all variety of wine and some great restaurants serving it. Nyetimber is one of these producers.